EFFICIENCY AND CONSTRAINTS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ANDEXAMINATION OF FROZEN SEMEN QUALITY USED FOR DAIRY CATTLE IN GOFA ZONE

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objectives of assessing the efficiency of AI service, status of AI, major constraints of AI and quality examination of post frozen semen in three woredas (Demba Gofa, Oyda and Geze Gofa) of Gofa zone. Both cross-sectional and a retrospective type of survey techniques were used to gather primary and secondary information by using semi-structured and structured questionnaire. A total of 196 households who were sampled by using systemic random sampling technique and six AITs who were selected by purposive sampling techniques were participated in this study. A total of 36 randomly selected frozen semen straws were taken from three woredas at two production year (2019 and 2020), and from two sire breeds (Jersey and Holstein Friesian) and examined in NAGII laboratory for its quality following standard procedures. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test were employed to analyze the data. Result from survey indicated that the overall mean cattle holding size per household in study area was 4.75±.165. The average holding size of indigenous and crossbreed cattle per household in the study area was 2.59±.133 and 2.16±.129, respectively. In the study area the majority (52%) of respondents reported that artificial insemination (AI) is carried out to increase milk yield followed by to improve local breed performances (46.4%). AI was delivered by mobile and stationed system. The average number of service per conception (±SE) was 1.45±0.811 and conception rate for first service (CRF) was 31%. The main reported constraints of artificial insemination (AI) service were few numbers of AITs (38.8%) and lack of service at weekend and holidays (28.1%). The laboratory analysis results for semen quality parameters indicate that the semen used in the woredas were within the acceptable range. Individual motility of frozen semen in the study woredas after dispatch has no significant difference among woredas. All factors (breed, production year and location) had no significant effect on frozen semen viability and over all morphological defects. For better efficiency of AI service AITs should get on job refreshment training, innovative farmers should aware on heat detection and timing of insemination. AITs should get incentives and hardship and overtime allowances and provided with transport accesses to deliver AI service timely and address service to all AI beneficiaries.